On 9 Jan 2010 at 0:00, Peter Guelzow wrote:
Date sent: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:28 +0100 From: Peter Guelzow peter.guelzow@kourou.de Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Galileo Contract Awarded To: AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org
The answer is very simple: There will be - no Soyuz test launches - from Kourou.... It's a proofed and robust rocket. There are already commercial customers booked for the first flight.. Otherwise P3-E would be on it.. ;-)
73s Peter DB2OS
Hi Peter
Here is an excerpt from Arianne space news:
Challenges in 2010
Arianespace is planning six to seven Ariane 5 launches in 2010, including the second ATV supply vessel for the International Space Station, the "Johannes Kepler".
The first launch of a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center is slated for mid-2010. Integration of the mobile gantry started in November, and system tests are scheduled for the first quarter of 2010. To date, Arianespace has ordered 14 launchers from the Russian space industry and all of these launches have been sold. The first two Soyuz launchers are already in French Guiana.
For upcoming Vega launches, the refurbishment of the ELA-1 launch pad is nearly completed. Each of the three solid propulsion stages of this launcher has passed static firing tests. The development of the Vega launcher will be completed in 2010, with commercial launch services kicking off in 2011.
With Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, Arianespace now has a family of launchers that gives it even more flexibility to meet customer requirements. Building on these considerable assets, in particular 35 successful launches in a row of Ariane 5, and 21 Soyuz launches from Baikonur, plus a proven commitment to launching on schedule, Arianespace continues to offer the broadest range of launch opportunities, enabling it to maintain its market share and continue its global leadership over the long haul.
Could be Vega will have to pass a first flight launch?
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE